Frozen Berry Treat

Did you freeze those plump, delicious berries from the garden this year? Perhaps you have last year's frozen berries yet hanging around in the freezer. This quick berry recipe is great for desert, breakfast or anytime you are craving berries. It begins with a medley of frozen berries. It ends with an empty plate and your family crying out for more.

This fruity treat is delicious on Christmas morning alongside pancakes and sausage. It is also tasty on a hot summer day. Transform it into a scrumptious dessert by adding shortcake, whipped topping or vanilla ice cream.

Rubus Blackberries do well where the summers are hot. Blackberry canes are not as cold hardy as raspberry canes and can often be difficult to grow in the north. It can take up to three years for a blackberry plant to produce to its full potential. The fruit ripens in July through September, sooner in the deep south. A few varieties of blackberry are 'Darrow', 'Black Satin' and 'Apache'.

R. strigosus Red raspberries are cold hardy, and they prefer climates with cool summers. Raspberries are easy care plants and fast growers. Like blackberries, they will take up to three years to reach their full potential. Most varieties ripen from June to July after a profusion of fragrant white blooms. 'Heritage', however, is a variety which produces a moderate summer crop followed by a heavier crop August through frost.

The Bush Berries

VacciniumBlueberries. An interesting fact about blueberries is that they are native to North America. They are also high in antioxidants. Blueberries prefer a sunny location and thrive in acid soil. They do not produce well in areas where they do not receive a winter chill. When growing blueberries in alkaline soil , amend the soil by adding aluminum sulphate. Blueberries ripen from June through August. An attractive variety which can be grown in a container on the patio is 'Dwarf Tophat'.

Spring through summer berries

Fragaria Strawberries do not require a large plot to grow. They can be planted in the garden, added to the flowerbeds or grown in containers. If you've never grown strawberries do not buy a large amount to plant the first time you buy. Some varieties which do well elsewhere in your area may not do well in your yard or gardens. Plant a few strawberries and monitor their growth. If they do well, then add more the following season. 'Ozark Beauty' is one of my favorite strawberries to grow. It is one of the everbearing varieties. It produces high yields of large, delicious berries. Everbearing varieties generally produce berries from June through September.

We are now ready to make Frozen Berry Treat. You will use a mix of four types of berries. Begin with frozen blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and red raspberries. There are many ways to alter this recipe. And you may use the berries you have on hand. You need not add all four types of berries to the dessert. Be creative and enjoy your version of this recipe. But remember, you must begin the recipe with frozen berries.

Ingredients

One 16-ounce package of mixed, frozen berries

Whipped topping (or vanilla ice cream)

Shortcakes (purchased or homemade)

Sugar (see note)

Note: you may sprinkle granulated or powdered sugar over the berries, if desired. My family prefers this recipe without sugar.

If you want to add frozen berries as a side dish at breakfast simply remove the berries from the freezer and place them in a bowl. Be careful not to bruise the berries. Mix them gently. Allow enough time before serving breakfast for the berries to thaw to the point that they are crunchy yet not frozen. Serve the berries in individual bowls.

To create Frozen Berry Treat you will need all the above ingredients or a combination of them. Be creative. Invent your own version of this dish.

Remove the berries from the freezer and thaw slightly. Place the shortcakes on a plate and spoon berry mixtures onto them.

After you place the berries into the shortcakes scoop whipped topping or vanilla ice cream on them.

Frozen Berry Treat with whipped topping. I hope you enjoy making and eating this treat as much as my family does.

Photo CreditsAll photos are from my farm kitchen

Pleasant gardening

(Editor's Note: This article was published on September 15, 208. Your comments are welcome, but please be aware that authors of previously published articles may not be able to respond to your questions.)

About Stephanie Boles

Stephanie is a Floridian, transplanted to Missouri and married to a Missouri farmboy. She is a mother who enjoys the farm, teaching Sunday school, working as a church musician and a freelance writer. She spends a large part of her time helping the DH on building/remodeling their house. She designs the gardens and her DH helps to landscape them. She makes old fashioned bed dolls in her spare time. She is currently working on a historical romance book series. The first book of the series will be available for purchase in spring 2010. Book 2 in the summer of 2010.